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Can posterior capsular stretching rehabilitation protocol change scapula kinematics in asymptomatic baseball pitchers?

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Abstract

Purpose

Scapular dyskinesis is a recognized cause of shoulder pain in the throwing shoulder of baseball pitchers and athletes who participate in overhead sports. Past studies have assessed scapular kinematics using electromagnetic tracking devices and have shown a correlation between posterior shoulder tightness and forward scapular posture. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the scapular kinematics, before and after a 4-week posterior stretching protocol in asymptomatic pitchers.

Method

Eleven asymptomatic collegiate baseball pitchers were involved in the study and divided into group A (6 pitchers) underwent 4 weeks of a regimented therapy protocol and group B (5 pitchers) did not receive any treatment. Each pitcher was tested on two separate days: at the first day of the study (S1) and after 4 weeks (S2).

Results

The results demonstrate that there are statistically significant differences in the kinematics of several athletes from the “treated group” (group A) between S1 and S2. It is also important to notice that variations in group A occurred in both flexextension and ab/adduction movements, strengthening the conclusion that the variation was real.

Conclusion

The results of the study can indicate that, in order to prevent the pathologic cascade linked to these sports activities, this physical training protocol might become integral part of the normal daily exercises of baseball pitchers and overhead athletes.

Level of evidence II.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Sciences, Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126, Parma, Italy

    A. Pellegrini & F. Ceccarelli

  2. Sport Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    P. Tonino, D. Salazar & K. Hendrix

  3. Shoulder Surgery Unit, Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica, Italy

    I. Parel, A. Cutti, P. Paladini & G. Porcellini

Authors
  1. A. Pellegrini
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  2. P. Tonino
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  3. D. Salazar
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  4. K. Hendrix
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  5. I. Parel
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  6. A. Cutti
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  7. P. Paladini
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  8. F. Ceccarelli
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  9. G. Porcellini
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Pellegrini.

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Pellegrini, A., Tonino, P., Salazar, D. et al. Can posterior capsular stretching rehabilitation protocol change scapula kinematics in asymptomatic baseball pitchers?. Musculoskelet Surg 100 (Suppl 1), 39–43 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-016-0416-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-016-0416-1

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